How Fashion Week models get in shape

Model Casey Clare shows her form during a boxing class inside the Fashion Week Model Lounge in Union Square. (Andrew Schwartz/For New York Daily News)

Fashion Week can't be all high heels and plunging neck lines. Sometimes a model just needs to kick some butt.

And that's where model boxing comes in. In a supersecret fashion lair (hint: it's below Coffee Shop in Union Square, but you didn't hear that from us), instructor Mateo Maldonado helps the ladies of the catwalk get mean and lean.

The boxing class is hosted by Modellounge X Microsoft, the city's best looking professional club, thanks to its exclusive membership. Not only do you have to be a model to get in, but you have to be a model with representation from a top 10 agency.

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Daily News reporter Justin Rocket Silverman worked out with fashion models at the supersecret underground models lair (it’s in Union Square, shhh). The models get boxing classes to stay in tone between runway walks. (Andrew Schwartz/For New York Daily News)

At the lounge, models can get a massage, make international calls to families back home, get snacks and (nonalcoholic) drinks, and even borrow shoes, all for free.

Sit-ups are an extra grueling part of the boxing work out. (Andrew Schwartz/For New York Daily News)

The boxing class is presented by Gotham Gym and is new for this year. It aims to help get the girls in shape for the rigors of Fashion Week.

Training also consists of carrying each other around. (Andrew Schwartz/For New York Daily News)

"We do kickboxing," said model Tatjana Sinkevica, 28. "It's a great fitness workout."

Model Ling Tan did lunges before even putting on the gloves. (Andrew Schwartz/For New York Daily News)

A Daily News reporter who joined a recent class was the only guy (and only non-model) and the least attractive in Spandex. But that didn't matter, as the class began and Maldonado ordered everyone to chase each other around a big circle.

Next, we did some hops and squats, and then carried each other around wheelbarrow style. And that was just the warm-up.

Finally, we strapped on our boxing gloves and Maldonado led us through a few basic left-right combos.

Students in his regular boxing class at Gotham Gym would use punching bags and do pad work. But for a group of models more accustomed to a stylist's chair than a corner stool, Maldonado kept the class simple and we focused only on punching each other's gloves.

Yet as my arms and hands began to ache, I learned an important lesson - don't underestimate the force of model's punch.

"You don't want to come up to me in a dark alley," said Jelena Salikova, 23.